This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

06 Oct 2026 at 16:49

Summary of the contracting process

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is considering a framework for specialist catering consultancy, to support its own operations and those of its wholly owned subsidiary, Botanics Trading Company. The work would cover visitor, staff and commercial catering and hospitality services across their portfolio. Possible assignments include developing catering strategies and options appraisals; market research and benchmarking; financial and commercial modelling; service reviews and business cases; procurement advice; drafting specifications and pricing models; supporting catering-service and concession procurements; bid evaluation and contract award; mobilisation and transition; and performance audits and improvement. The consultancy would provide independent strategic, commercial, financial, operational and procurement expertise as needs arise. Delivery is for the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in Edinburgh.

This is at the planning stage: the buyer is undertaking preliminary market engagement and has not invited tenders. It is seeking feedback on supplier capacity and interest before deciding its final procurement strategy. The proposed route is a framework agreement, with work commissioned as requirements arise. The buyer expects to publish the tender documentation after approval and finalisation, with a future notice date of 11 January 2027. Organisations interested in the plans were invited to express interest within a month. No procurement value or contract duration is stated in the available plans.

The plans are most relevant to consultancy firms with specialist catering and hospitality expertise, particularly those able to advise across strategy, commercial and financial planning, operations and procurement. Suppliers should be prepared to work across visitor, staff and commercial catering settings and to respond flexibly to assignments as they arise under a framework. Experience that aligns with the potential work includes market research and benchmarking, business cases, procurement strategy, specifications and pricing, evaluation and award support, mobilisation, contract or concession management, and performance review and improvement. The buyer is using early engagement to understand market capacity and interest before settling its approach, so firms with a clear account of their relevant capabilities and capacity may wish to prepare to contribute as the plans progress. The plans do not set out specific accreditations or experience thresholds.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Catering Consultancy Framework Agreement

Notice Description

Framework Agreement for specialist catering consultancy services, including catering strategy, market analysis, commercial modelling, procurement support, contract and concession development, implementation and performance review.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) is undertaking preliminary market engagement in relation to the possible establishment of a Framework Agreement for the provision of specialist catering consultancy services. RBGE and its wholly owned subsidiary, Botanics Trading Company (BTC), periodically require independent expert support in the development, procurement, implementation, review and management of catering and hospitality arrangements across a diverse portfolio of visitor, staff and commercial catering operations. The proposed Framework Agreement would provide access to suitably experienced consultancy providers capable of delivering strategic, commercial, financial, operational and procurement-related advice. Call-off requirements may include, but are not limited to: Catering strategy development and options appraisal; Market research, benchmarking and soft market testing; Financial and commercial modelling; Catering service reviews and business case development; Procurement strategy and route-to-market advice; Development of specifications, service descriptions and pricing models; Support for the procurement of catering service contracts and concession agreements; Evaluation, clarification and contract award support; Mobilisation, implementation and transition planning; Contract and concession performance review, audit and improvement support. The Framework Agreement is intended to provide flexible access to specialist expertise as requirements arise. RBGE is seeking feedback from the market on supplier capacity and level of interest prior to determining the final procurement strategy for our catering consultancy needs. Interested organisations are invited to express their interest within a month if they are interested in the opportunity. We will inform those interested prior to publishing upon approval and finalisation of tender documentation.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-07820a
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/094442-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security


CPV Codes

79411100 - Business development consultancy services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
6 Oct 2026Today
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
11 Jan 20274 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
EDINBURGH
Postcode
EH3 5LR
Postcode Area
Edinburgh
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM1 East Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM13 City of Edinburgh
Delivery Location
TLM75 City of Edinburgh

Local Authority
City of Edinburgh
Electoral Ward
Inverleith
Westminster Constituency
Edinburgh North and Leith

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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